mkimery
Newbie
Posts: 9
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« on: December 04, 2008, 07:02:04 pm » |
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I work as an Executive Administrative Assistant in a very busy HR department. I'm responsible for supervising our front desk operation, which includes one administrative assistant who is assigned to work the front desk. I am the primary back-up for front desk coverage, relieving the admin. asst. for daily lunch breaks (1 hour) and when she is out for just a day or an extended period of time for vacation or illness.
We have about 1/2 dozen other staff members that we rotate to relieve me for lunch breaks when I am providing coverage on the front desk. However, I am still the primary backup, and these other staff members only cover me for my lunch break, or for the occassional meeting I must attend.
I have found it very challenging to balance my regular workload, which is very heavy, in addition to providing coverage for the front desk for extended periods of time.
Ultimately, we could use an additional staff member to work our front desk, even if it's on a part-time basis, and this position could become the primary back-up on the front desk. However, because of current budget constraints, I do not expect that we will be able to recruit for this position anytime soon.
In the short term, I think it would be helpful for me to share the responsibility with at least one or two other staff members, so I do not have to put so many hours on the front desk for those extended periods of time when she is on vacation or out on sick leave.
I'm very interested in hearing how other organizations are handling back-up coverage for their front desk/reception operations.
Thank you.
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happyclappy
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« Reply #3 on: December 05, 2008, 06:01:47 pm » |
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We have several receptionists who work shifts so it is never an issue for us.
I have read your previous posts on this. I guess what you are probably asking is how to approach this with your bosses rather than how everyone else covers reception? Sounds as though you are in a bit of a fix.
Here's what I would do: assuming that this task is part of your job there is not much you can do except work out a strategy to change things despite the budget. I would go to my bosses with evidence of the workload (especially if increased in the past year) and evidence of how front of house work impacts on your ability to carry out the other work. Then you suggest a solution of sharing out the front of house stuff with others or hiring a temp to cover vacations and sick leave and how this will benefit the company and your workload. And see what happens.
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mkimery
Newbie
Posts: 9
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« Reply #4 on: December 05, 2008, 10:58:44 pm » |
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Thanks for taking the time to reply and share your thoughts and suggestions.
Take care and enjoy the holidays.
MKimery
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